Uterine drainage-tube.



- No. 669,976. Patentodjlar; I9, I90].

J. J. BUWKER;

UTEBINE DRAINAGE TUBE.

(Application filed July 26, 1900 (lo llodel.)

WITNESSES: WW IIVVZ'IVVTOVH w :fiM 8 1J1 ATJORNEY.

I NlTE TATES JAMES J. BQWKER, OF LAOTTO, INDIANA;

UTERINE DRAINAGE-TUBE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,976, dated March19, 1901.

Application filed July 26, 1900. Serial No.24.882. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that- I, JAMES J. BOWKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Laotto, in the county of Noble and State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful Uterine Drainage-Tube, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drainage-tubes of the classnamed which are designed to remain in place, so that efiete and noxiousmatters may continually pass out of the womb or uterus while in use; andthe ob jects of my improvement are, first, to provide a drainage-tubewhich can be so adjusted to the parts that it may be worn continuallywith ease and comfort and without irritation of the parts or replacementfor two or three months or more; second, to provide a closure to theouter end of the tube to prevent the entrance of air and fluids, whichshall act automatically when the user or patient is in a recumbentposition; third, to provide a drainage-tube with means to conduct thefluids and noxious matters to the tube, and, fourth, to provide such aconstruction that the uterus may conveniently be irrigated withoutdilation and the fluids and noxious matters readily escape through thetube by gravity atpended claims, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in Which Figure 1 is a front view of my device with thesupporting-arms in position for insertion into the uterus. Fig. 2 is aview of my device in place in the uterus, which is shown with part ofthe vagina in section. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 2, taken on theline was, showing the cavity of the uterus and the manner of drainagealong the supporting-arms; and Fig. 4 is an end view of the lower end ofthe tube, showing a hinged lid or valve to close it and also means toprevent its further passage into the uterus.

Similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

The tube 5 is metallic, preferably of aluminium, and of suitabledimensions, usually about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and notlong enough to reach the internal 0s of the uterus when in position. Itis preferably prevented from any upward movement when in place by thelaterally-extended ears or projections 6, which impinge against theexternal es of the uterus. The lower end or mouth of this tube is alsoprovided with a valve 7, preferablyin form of a hinged lid, so arrangedthat it drops into place, closing the mouth of the tube 5 by gravitywhen the user or patient is in a recumbent position, the function ofthis valve 7 being to prevent the passage of the fluids into the uteruswhen the vagina is irrigated and in some cases to also exclude the air,which it does when closed.

The upper part of the tube 5 is provided with arms 8, which extend toand beyond the internal os of the uterus. They are made thin and narrowfor a short distance where they pass said internal 0s, so as to form theflexible parts 13, having two functions-411st, the quality of beingeasily bent into the form shown in Fig. 2 and remaining in such formuntil manipulated by the operator, and, second, to assist in holding thedevice in place by their connection with the supporting-arms 9, attachedto the ppper ends, without irritating the internal os. This will morefully appear in the description of the mode of operation and is regardedas a new feature in the construction of drainage-tubes of this class. Tothe upper ends of the arms 8 are attached the supporting-arms 9. TheyeX- tend up into the cavity of the uterus, forming stay-pieces, andpreferably about two-thirds of its length and are preferably providedwith open ducts on their inner sides for drainage and are of suchconstruction as to slightly distend the parallel Walls of the cavity. Ihave constructed such ducts by making said arms concavo-convex, as shownin cross-section in Fig. 3, but do not confine myself to that particularconstruction. The tubes 5, arms 8, and supporting-arms 9 are preferablymade integrally, as shown. I also provide means to expand or spread thesupporting-arms 9 when they are sufficiently entered into the cavity ofthe uterus. Any suitable means for such purpose may be used. I preferthe construction illustrated in the drawings,

in Figs. 1 and 2.

which consists of two brace-arms 10, provided with downward extensions11, the ends of which are rigidly attached to each other in verticalposition, preferably by a rivet 12. Both ends of these brace-arms 10 areattached, preferably integrally, respectively to their extensions 11 andto the upper ends of the supporting-arms by a thin and narrow strip 14,which can be easily bent to form, so to speak, flexible joints at saidpoints of connection, whereby means are provided to expand or close thesupporting-arms 9, as shown The mode of operation for this purposeconsists in grasping the riveted ends of the extensions 11 with asuitable instrument passed up through the tube 5 and by thrusting up ordrawing down said ends elevate or depress them into the desiredpositions, thereby expanding or drawing together the supporting-arms 9,so that they assume the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as may bedesired. In Fig. 1 the device is in position for insertion. In Fig. 2the supporting-arms are expanded or spread so as to conform to and liealong the edges of the uterine cavity and support the device in place.

The mode of operation is as follows: The device closed, as shown in Fig.1, is easily passed without pain into the uterine cavity 15 a suitabledistance, so that the flexible parts 13 shall be partly in the internal0s and partly in the cavity 15. This is preferably determined by theimpinging of the ears 8 against the external 0s 16 by construction.introduced, the internal os will, because of the irritation of suchintroduction, strongly contract, thereby compressing slightly the parts18. While so contracted the operator passes up through the tube 5 asuitable instrumentand by it pushes up the riveted extensions 11,thereby spreading the supporting-arms 9 until they assume the positionsshown in Fig. 2 and as described supra, the flexible parts 13 being benttherebyjust above the internal 0s. The operating instrument is thenwithdrawn and the contraction of the internal os speedily subsides, theparts receding slightly. This action and the slight compression of theparts 13, as described supra, combine to provide a loose and easyfitting of the parts 13 in that place without any irritating contact.This result and the easy and non-irritating adj ustment of thesupporting-arms 9, fitting the uterine cavity with only a slightdistension of its parallel walls, as shown in Fig. 3, are not attainedby any uterine drainage-tube or device of which I have any knowledge.Such construction provides means for a complete drainage of the cavitywithout any irritation or undue contact-pressure against sensitive partsand is perfectly held in place. Some of my patients have worn itforthree months without replacement and without discomfort. The use of thevalve or hinged lid 7 readily appears from the description. While thedevice is in place it affords at all times free When so access to theuterine cavity and the treatment of intra-uterine diseases is madesimple and convenient.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. Auterinedrainage-tube consisting of the tube 5 provided with ears,the arms 8 connected to said tube and provided with the flexible parts13, the supporting-arms 9 connected with the flexible parts 13 andprovided with open internal drainage-ducts, the brace-arms 10 having thedownward extensions 11, narrow strips or portions connecting and formingflexible joints to the brace-arms and downward extensions 11 and also tothe brace arms and supporting-arms respectively, and a valve for thelower end of said tube.

2. In a uterine drainage-tube, a short tube, as 5, provided with armsextending upward, the arms being provided with flexible parts at theplace of passage through the ostium internum, extensions thereto formingsupporting-arms, as 9, provided with open internal drainage-ducts, andadapted to slightly distend the parallel walls of the uterine cavity,means to aid in spreading the upper ends of the supporting-arms and holdthem in place, and a valve for the outer end of said short tube.

3. In a uterine drainage-tube, a tube having its upper ends providedwith two arms tapering from its sides to a narrow and thin constructionso as to be easily bent as described at the place of passage through theostium internum, and from thence further extended to formsupporting-arms provided with means adapting them to be spread withinthe walls of the uterine cavity, and a valve for the outer end of saidtube.

4. In a uterine drainage-tube, a tube provided with arms adapted to beextended into the uterine cavity, the parts passing the os' tium internum being made flexible, and means attached to said arms adapted to aidin spreading them and to hold them in place.

5. In a uterine drainage-tube, a short metallic tube provided at one endwith two arms adapted to be extended into the uterine cavity and also tobe expanded or spread therein so as to form supports for the tube andalso slightly distend the parallel walls of the uterus, and soconstructed as to have a narrow and thin portion at the place of passagethrough the ostium internum which may be easily bent as described andmeans attached to said arms adapted to aid in spreading them and to holdthem in place.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal, this 19th day ofJanuary, A. D. 1900, in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. BOWKER. [L. s]

Witnesses:

R. E. THAIN, H. A. HARTMAN.

